MASTER painter and interior decorator, North Street resident and Roosters supporter Barry Kliendienst was having a conversation at the bowling club last Sunday with local builder Murray Rose when he mentioned the property “Algool”. When I quizzed him where “Algool” was, “Bazza” replied it was about 14.5 kilometres along the Uralla Road. Now I get it - that place would actually be Yalgoo.

TIA River resident Phil Rowe was in the right place at the right time earlier in the week when the Apsley River rose after the downpour on Monday night. Phil was at the Apsley Falls the next morning when the wall of water reached the first drop and he filmed it going over the edge. He then posted it on Facebook, and within no time at all, a woman from America had replied how much she liked it and how she should come over and visit here for a better look.

I HEARD a whisper Mark Patridge called in to see saddler Bernie Brandy the other day and, after parking outside the Old Saddlery shop, he remembered Bernie hadn’t been operating from those premises for a number of months now.

CAN’T seem to take a trick with the weather at the moment - swimming pool-wise at least. The water temperature remains fairly constant at around 24 Celsius, but after it warms up during the day, the temperature drops back at night due to the cool evenings. Hopefully, the single figure early morning air temperature will disappear shortly.

THERE have still been good early morning session attendances despite the cool air temperatures, with a number of new faces calling in for a dip. Colts cricketer Thor Crombie tagged along with his team mate Sam Martin for a few fitness laps last week and when he finished his first, he asked how long the pool was before suggesting it was 100 metres in length. He was a bit disappointed when I informed him that it would be when he reached the other end.

THE annual Oysterman's Picnic Day was held at Port Macquarie where a number of us locals headed to the coast for a day out, enjoying plenty of seafood washed down with a cool beverage or three. I had the chance to catch up with a few former Walcha residents including Wayne “Traveller” Wilby, Mark “Turbo” Peters and semi-retired school teacher Michael Fraser.

DURING festivities at the home of fisherman Steve Burt, who has provided the venue for quite a few years, Gerry Moran was confronted by a large goanna while wandering around in the back corner of the yard. A number of cooees flew out of “Gezza” as he was rapidly high stepping around the place.

ONE of the Oysterman organisers, G.J. Natty, had an altercation with a tree on the way back to his caravan and still doesn’t know why the tree jumped out of nowhere and assaulted his person. By all accounts, “Larma Farma” Mark Peters led an investigation into the incident the following day.

A BIG thank you to the many people who help organise the Oystermans, provide accommodation and transportation for the shindig, along with the chefs who prepare and cook the oysters on the day. I won’t name individuals because no doubt someone would be left out. Good on ya all,  guys.

PUTTING out a final call for the Lions Club Christmas party to be held at the Golf Club next Monday,  December 11, from 6.30pm. Numbers were down a bit last year and organisers would love to see a few old faces return this year to enjoy this great event. If you are interested in attending and haven’t booked a spot yet, please contact either Lloyd Levingston and Bruce Davidson immediately if not sooner to assist with catering purposes.

A REMINDER to all golfers intending to play in the 4BBBB Medley this Sunday, tee-off time is at 1pm not the usual 12 noon due to Presentation Night being held later in the day. Don’t forget the annual Ann Berry Memorial three-person ambrose will be held on the following Sunday.

IT’S also the last chance to grab a ticket in the raffle currently being conducted by the golf club which is a holiday for two to beautiful Fiji, all airfares, and two games of golf, which is optional. Tickets are $100 a throw and can be purchased from chief fundraising organiser Miles Archdale. The raffle is scheduled to be drawn at presentation night. Good luck to all ticket buyers!